Upon entering the compound, Qin Shu and Ye Luo looked around.

“Should we inform Master?”

“I’ll make the call,” said one of the two guards on duty as he dialled their master’s number. He did not need to wait long before the call connected. “Master, Miss Qin has returned to Mount Qi.”

“Did she say what she’s there for?” Qin Shu’s master stood on a balcony overlooking a slender figure seated under a willow. The lady had sat there reading a book for more than an hour, yet her posture remained impeccable.

“Miss Qin said she wanted to look around her old home.”

“With whom?” Qin Shu’s master asked.

“It’s just Miss Qin and her subordinate.”

“Try and satisfy any request she may have,” his instructions were abrupt but succinct, hanging up immediately after. The man’s body flickered, disappearing from his spot on the balcony and reappearing at the lady’s side. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, elegant, unrestrained and silent. He acted on an instinct, a primal urge to wrap his arms around the lady seated under the willow; all else was secondary.

“Ling’er,” Qin Shu’s master possessed a voice extremely pleasant to the ear. It filled the air like the gentle mists rising over a mountain or a fresh spring’s clear, limpid waters.

Long Ziling looked up at the man who had suddenly appeared. She had stayed with him for so many years that she was well accustomed to his eccentricities.

“Weren’t you dealing with something important? What are you doing here?”

The man sat down beside her, took the book in her hand, put in a note, and closed it before putting it aside.

“You’ve been reading for an hour. It’s time to rest your eyes.”

“I’m just bored. I read to pass the time,” Long Ziling replied.

The man was not sure how to respond. Since their return, Ling’er had grown withdrawn, quiet and unassuming like a wilting flower. He hardly ever saw her smile. She spent her days either reading or drawing but doing nothing else besides. Perhaps that spark within her would ignite once more if she had a child to accompany her.

Unfortunately, she was having trouble conceiving.

The doctor they consulted said it was related to her emotions, which probably meant she was not happy.

He suddenly asked, “Are you not happy here?”

“No, why do you ask?” Long Ziling looked at the man in confusion.

The man stared at her for a few seconds before quickly pulling her into his arms. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, planting soft kisses down the nape to her collarbone.

He did not know what to do with her. Had he been over the top in treating her as such?

Long Ziling looked at the maid not far away and said with a slightly red face, “Ziqing, people are watching. Please control yourself.”

The man silenced her with a kiss on her lips. “Then let’s go back to our room.”

He picked her up and strode toward their room, not giving her a chance to refuse.

The man pushed the door open and closed it with his foot. Then, he strode over to the bedside and laid her flat on the bed.

“Don’t you have an important meeting later? Now you…” Was there enough time?

The man kissed her deeply. “I’ve postponed it.”

The mere mention of that important meeting was enough to kill the mood, but he worked through his distaste, enjoying the moment of privacy as much as he could. His large hand traced the flat contours of Ling’er’s abdomen.

“The doctor said you’re having trouble conceiving because you’re not happy. If something is bothering you, you can tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

“I am not unhappy. I’m just not as young as I used to be,” Though Long Ziling sounded calm, there was a note of disappointment in her words. When she agreed to marry him, she planned to have a child, relishing the experience of looking after Xiao Jiu. It merely served to heighten her longing.

She was a little disappointed that she had not had a child. Perhaps age was catching up to her.

“After I wrap up things on my end, I’ll take you out to relax.”

“Okay,” Long Ziling answered.

The man gave her a quick peck on her forehead before putting on his clothes and leaving.

He surveyed the large courtyard. Having a child would light up the atmosphere, bringing laughter into the household again. He could not help but think of Xiao Jiu. If Xiao Jiu came to keep her company, perhaps she would not look so downcast.

–

The sun shone brightly.

The maids lowered their heads and watched their master leave. Only then did they start discussing in low voices.

“Master rejected Miss Qian Hui because of this woman?”

“I think so. Miss Qian Hui has pinned for Master all these years, just for another woman to snatch Master’s heart.”

“I heard from an elderly servant that Master and Miss Qian Hui were engaged, but something happened on their wedding day. There was a misunderstanding between Master and Miss Qin Hui, which led to an annulment.”

“What’ll happen if their misunderstanding resolves itself? Will they reconcile?”

“Definitely. Miss Qianhui and Master are childhood sweethearts. I’m sure their bond will deepen once the misunderstanding clears up, sprouting new buds after spending more than twenty years apart.”

Long Ziling put on her clothes and came out, ready to continue reading. As soon as she stepped out, she heard this shocking conversation.

Who was this Qianhui they were discussing?

What happened back then?

When the sounds of discontent disappeared, she slowly walked to the chair and sat down. She picked up the unfinished book, but she could not calm down no matter how hard she tried.

–

At this moment, on Mount Qi…

Qin Shu went to see the room she had stayed in and Fu Tingyu and Han Xiao’s rooms. It was no different from when she left.

Master was not taking in new disciples, so Mount Qi was closed to the public after they departed.

Then, she went to the courtyard where Master stayed.

Master’s courtyard was the most remote and also the quietest. It was far from the courtyards they lived in, probably because he was afraid they would disturb him.

She went to his room first. A faint fragrance wafted out as soon as she pushed open the door, the source of which being an incense burner lit. She rubbed her fingers against the door handle and brought it up to her eyes. Not a speck of dust lingered despite its present desertion. It meant that… some people cleaned this place seriously every day.

The room’s furnishings were simple, enough to accommodate an individual comfortably. While plain, the room bore a regal, almost ancient air, though that was likely due to the well-placed antiques decorating the otherwise quaint furnishings.

Wouldn’t her mother live in the same room as her master?

A large yellow pear-shaped bed dominated the space. It was big enough for three people to sleep in it.

Seeing nothing of particular interest, Qin Shu pushed open the door to the study. The barely perceptible smell of ink hung in the air. A table in the study caught her eye. On it were the four treasures of a study. Portraits of her mother, Long Ziling, adorned the walls, a few of them including Xiao Jiu.

As with the bedroom, the study was spotless. It was obvious that someone cleaned it regularly. Even the inkwell seemed newly replenished. Why would the cleaners go to such lengths if Master was not staying here? Qin Shu could not help but wonder.

Was Master planning to return to Mount Qi? Would he choose to retire here?

She circled the room and found a bed carved of solid wood behind a screen.

Why would there be a bed in the study? Did Master often sleep here?

Growing more confused by the second, she arrived before the lone desk. Anyone with a little knowledge or understanding of the four treasures of the study room could see that they were priceless.

A thin sheet of rice paper draped over the desk. It was an unfinished painting, its background a scenic lake with a cruise ship parked by its shores. Flowers in all shapes and colours bloomed under winnowing willows while flickering lights flashed amidst its branches. It created a festive air.